Sunday, September 16, 2012

At the very least the Dodgers have secured a series split with the Cardinals, but how unsatisfying would that be? Without a win today, the Dodgers would resume lingering in the Redbirds' exhaust. No, we're going to call today's game a must-win, as in their next two series the Dodgers play the first-place Nationals and the first-place Reds. The Cards? They get the Astros. And the Cubs. Then the Astros again.

No disrespect to Mr. Fife, but unfortunately not-Clayton Kershaw is taking the mound for the Dodgers today. Yet the Cardinals, suffering from their own special brand of NL Central ineptitude, are eminently beatable. We're ready to believe, Stephen!

"James McDonald has been removed from the Pittsburgh Pirates' starting rotation.McDonald has fallen off considerably since a strong first half. The 27-year-old right-hander has allowed 14 runs in his last three starts - a total of 12 innings pitched. He walked four batters and allowed four runs in just 3 2-3 innings in a loss to the Chicago Cubs on Friday.Manager Clint Hurdle said Sunday that McDonald would become available out of the bullpen around Tuesday. McDonald is 3-5 with a 7.08 ERA in the second half, after going 9-3 with a 2.37 ERA in the first half."